COP27 Reaches Breakthrough Agreement on New “Loss and Damage” Fund for Vulnerable Countries

The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 closed on 20 November with a breakthrough agreement to provide “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters. “This outcome moves us forward,” said Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary. “We have determined a way forward on a decades-long conversation on funding for…

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Historic Climate Deal Sealed at COP27

Parties agree to historic loss and damage fund at COP27 to support developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change Paris Agreement remains intact – no backsliding or backtracking as commitments reaffirmed and strengthened despite global headwinds Progress achieved across the board at climate change talks and 1.5°C goal still…

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Rural poultry programme empowering communities in Zvimba North

By Elvis Dumba Katawa – Women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable community members in Zvimba North Constituency’s wards 15, 30, and 33 got empowered through the Presidential Rural Poultry Program. Hundreds of people received road runner chicks which were handed over by Zvimba North Constituency legislator and ZANU PF Central Committee member, Hon Marian…

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Conclusion of COP27: UN Secretary-General tasks stakeholders to play their part

Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his speech at the conclusion of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh urged stakeholders to play their various roles in addressing the climate change crisis. He thanked the Egyptian government and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry – for their hospitality and recognized Simon Stiell and the United Nations…

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Mushrooms bring emancipation and formalisation to women in Mutasa South

By Kudakwashe Tagwireyi The unpredictable weather conditions that were being experienced in Mutasa South District and the persistent cyclones that had ravaged Manicaland, had placed women in the surrounding villages, in the limelight of dependency syndrome to their husbands and the donor community. Fate however has been in their favour this year as with the…

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UN encourages women to run businesses

By Hillary Munedzi The United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) secretariat is working on providing opportunities for women in business in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking during the UNGM procurement seminar held in conjunction with Zimtrade at a local Hotel in Harare recently, Mr. Balakrishnan Amirthalingam, the Chief of the Global Procurement Support Section of…

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‘All of Society’ Global Climate Action Agenda championed at COP27

The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions took stock of the contribution of non-State actors at COP27 with their closing event – COP27 Action Agenda: Progress & Priorities – wrapping-up a two week programme of over 50 events. This included the launch of the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, a number of major African-led initiatives to cut emissions and build…

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COP27: Recognise Africa special circumstances and needs

Zimbabwe is making its voice heard as it is aligned with the African Group position led by Zambia on calling for the recognition of Africa’s special circumstances and needs. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry for Zimbabwe, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, said that Africa is a continent plagued by complex overlapping challenges…

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Four Initiatives Launched During COP27’s Solutions Day

The Egypt COP27 Presidency launched four solution-centered initiatives on the last day of COP27s’ thematic day. The initiatives launched in relation to climate solutions, provide complimentary pathways to enhance global climate action and ensure that countries are able to fulfill their NDCs and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Friends of Greening National Investment…

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Pan-African growth strategy: FEDA invests $85 million into Arise IIP

The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) has announced an $85 million investment into ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), the pan-African infrastructure developer and operator. This deal demonstrates the confidence of FEDA in ARISE IIP’s development strategy. The investment agreement was concluded on 16 November 2022 in London, between Marlène Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA…

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Zimbabwe in belated commemoration of World Post Day

Zimbabwe celebrated World Post Day last week in Bulawayo at a colourful ceremony attended by senior government officials and players in the information communication technology (ICT sector). Among the important dignitaries were the Minister of the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Beaullah Chirume….

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Team of local, global experts develops new ways to fight drought

Research organisations based in Kenya are fast-tracking a joint deal to introduce new technologies that would produce maize varieties that are tolerant to the spread of the Fall Army Worm (FAW). Leveraging the knowledge of the Mexico-based International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CiMMYT), scientists argue that the initiatives will boost food security in Kenya…

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Countries pledge added support to GEF funds for urgent climate adaptation

In an important injection of support to countries facing the worst effects of climate change, seven donor governments pledged new funding for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) during the COP27 climate summit and several others backed the funds’ ambitious goals for meeting the most urgent adaptation needs. Announcing a total of $105.6…

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Citizens challenged to help in ensuring credible elections

By Nhau Mangirazi Citizens have been challenged to play a critical role in monitoring forthcoming elections so that they are not disputed. Ninurai Jena, a civil rights activist made the remarks recently during a Civic Education and Sensitization Forum hosted by Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) in Karoi. It was attended by civic organizations representatives from…

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Germany commits €40 million to AfDB’s Climate Action Window Initiative

Germany has committed €40 million to the African Development Bank Group’s (http://www.AfDB.org) Climate Action Window (http://bit.ly/3TJVww8), German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth has announced.  The contribution is to support climate adaptation in fragile African states. Flasbarth made the announcement during a ministerial panel for climate-vulnerable countries and champions of adaptation finance…

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Include local communities in CITES decision-making processes: Environment Minister

The Minister of Environment Climate Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu is lobbying for the inclusion of local communities as an important part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) decision-making processes. He revealed this at the 19th meeting of the Conference of the…

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COP27: Pan African Parliament creates synergies for climate justice with CSOs

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has reiterated its commitment to work with civil society organisations to promote the continent’s climate change agenda and call for climate Justice for the citizens of Africa. This was the message delivered by H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, during the Civil Society Event organised under the auspices of…

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COP27: AWARe Initiative to address water-related challenges

Egypt’s COP27 Presidency, in partnership with World Meteorological Organization (WMO), launched AWARe (Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience), an initiative that will champion inclusive cooperation to address water-related challenges and solutions across climate change adaptation. AWARe aims at contributing to a successful outcome at the 2023 UN Conference on Water and it brings together the…

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Cimas iGo half-marathon raises awareness of men’s health issues

Cimas Health Group is marking Men’s Health Awareness Month by offering Cimas members prostate cancer screening at all its clinics throughout November, broadcasting a prostate cancer talk show on Friday (November 18) and holding an iGo Movember Half-Marathon on November 26. The month of November was first dubbed Movember in 2003 in Australia when men…

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Albert Nyathi and Majaivana’s Big Celebration for the Elderly

Albert Nyathi, imbongi, musician and playwright, and iconic musician Lovemore Majaivana, will celebrate their birthdays by shining the spotlight on the elderly in the community. Dubbed ‘The Big Celebration,’ the events will be held in Harare and Bulawayo on the 3rd and 10th of December, 2022, respectively. Singer-songwriter Lovemore Majaivana was born in Gweru, on…

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COP27 Thematic Gender Day: Institutions, Individuals Urged To Act For Implementation

Women remain underrepresented in climate governance and debates, and the COP27 Gender Thematic Day brought together women leading climate at national, regional, and the global community level, to discuss matters of gender within the climate agenda. Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the adverse impacts created by climate change. It was highlighted that…

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Media sets progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda: United Nations

The media has an important role in defining the common denominator in promoting national interest and setting progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda in the country as the fourth estate of Government, Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations Zimbabwe Resident Coordinator has said. He made the remarks during the UN interaction with Members of the Zimbabwe…

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COP27: Pan African Parliament participates in Green Recovery Action Plan

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira attended an African Union (AU) High-Level Ministerial Dinner on the implementation of the Green Recovery Action Plan (AU GRAP) 2021-2027, adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2022. The event took place on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th annual Conference…

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NetOne celebrates International Day for Universal Access to Information

Mobile telephony giant NetOne yesterday belatedly joined the rest of the world, in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). As a key stakeholder in the Telecommunications & ICT sector, the company reckons the importance of the day which is significant in its inclusive thrust to ensure access to information for all….

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UN 77th Anniversary: Call for Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges

Zimbabwe today celebrated the 77th anniversary of the United Nations belatedly due to unavoidable circumstances, with a call for transformative solutions to a plethora of challenges. The UN Day is officially commemorated each year on 24 October – the anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. At the event in Harare…

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Egypt, FAO launch FAST Initiative to transform agri-food systems, improve food security

Egypt’s COP27 Presidency and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation or FAST, at COP27 yesterday. The new initiative will increase climate finance contributions for agriculture and food systems to support the most vulnerable communities. FAST will reimagine agrifood systems to deliver triple wins for people, climate action, and nature….

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Pan African Parliament, AUDA-NEPAD pushing for continent’s food and nutrition security

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is pushing legislation toward the promotion of food and nutrition security on the continent as evidenced by a model law on the theme that it tabled during the first session of its sixth Parliament in Midrand, South Africa while the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is leading the awareness of the…

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Stakeholders converge for NetOne Albinism Fun and Talent Day 2022

Stakeholders from all walks of life gathered in the Midlands Province on Saturday for the highly subscribed NetOne Albinism Fun and Talent Day 2022 which was meant to spotlight the need for collaboration in ameliorating challenges faced by people with albinism. In remarks by the Netone Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Ms. Roselyn Chisveto,…

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Protection of journalists topical at regional workshop

By Nhau Mangirazi The police and the judiciary are key players in promoting the safety of journalists, a top Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Governing Council member, Father Barnabas Simatende has said. He said these key players ensure a conducive working environment for journalists. He revealed this while speaking in Victoria Falls at…

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COP27: Zimbabwe launches Climate Change Gender Action Plan

During the ongoing COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt yesterday, Zimbabwe launched the Climate Change Gender Action Plan as parties have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes. Speaking during the launch, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…

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Zimbabwe National Zakat Fund provides water to Harare’s Tafara community

The community borehole sunk at Mwanandishe Primary School by the Zimbabwe National Zakat Fund (Zimnzaf) is set to ease water woes bedeviling the school and Tafara community at large. In an interview during the drilling process on Tuesday, Zimnzaf Finance Director Philemon C. Chari said this intervention is part of the organisation’s water and sanitation…

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Nestlé injects US$ 100 000 in Africa Food Prize

By Hillary Munedzi Nestlé in conjunction with Africa Food Prize will award US$ 100 000 to individuals and institutions that are pioneering agricultural and transforming food systems in Africa and strengthening the continent’s food security as rich and emerging economies come together under a “climate solidarity pact to keep the 1.5 degrees celsius within reach.”…

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First Ever Children and Youth Pavilion Opens at COP27

Yesterday, the first ever Children and Youth Pavilion in the history of climate conferences opened at COP27, contributing to further visibility, engagement, and empowerment of voices of children and youth networks, and fostering their inclusion in the global climate conversation and policy making.  Attendees included: Dr. Omnia El Omrani, COP27 Presidency’s Youth Envoy, Kate Hampton,…

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Thousands of Pfumvudza/Intwasa farmers receive Crop Insurance Pay-out from AFC Holdings

AFC Holdings, partnered with a consortium of insurance companies and the Government of Zimbabwe to run a pilot project on Area Yield Index Insurance for farmers who received Pfumvudza inputs in the 2021/2022 Season in Rushinga and Mwenezi districts. The project was monitored and evaluated through the assistance of PULA, a technical advisor on Area…

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New Africa Carbon Markets Initiative Inaugurated at COP27

Carbon markets offer an incredible opportunity to unlock billions for the climate finance needs of African economies while expanding energy access, creating jobs, protecting biodiversity, and driving climate action. However, Africa currently produces only a tiny percentage of its carbon credit potential. Led by a thirteen-member steering committee of African leaders, CEOs, and carbon credit…

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ICT Minister commissions 10 community information centres in Harare

In a clear sign of commitment to upscaling digital penetration and inclusion, Harare Province has been blessed with 10 community information centres (CICs) commissioned today. The initiative is in sync with the  National Development Strategy (NDS1) that emphasises the Digital Economy as one of the fourteen national priorities for the period 2021 – 2025. This…

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AU20 Residency Programme: 10 African writers and visual artists selected

Ten (10)African writers and visual artists who will contribute their creative ideas to the African Union’s 20-year celebrations have been selected as part of the AU20 Artists & Writers Residency Programme. Following an Africa-wide call, 10 successful applicants were selected for the AU20 Artists & Writers Residency Programme which received close to 1000 submissions in…

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Early warning systems save vulnerable communities from climate disasters

The availability of early warning systems saves vulnerable communities from climate disasters, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has said. He delivered the remarks at the launch of the Early Warnings for All Executive Action Plan Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. As it stands, he said vulnerable communities in climate hotspots are being…

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UN Secretary-General warns against putting climate change on the back burner

As Planet Earth is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned stakeholders including world leaders against putting the phenomenon on the back burner. He made the remarks today at the high-level opening of the COP27 Climate Implementation Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The Secretary-General said…

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Government urged to involve communities affected by human-wildlife conflicts

By Nhau Mangirazi The government has been challenged to consult widely communities most affected by human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) before the endorsement of funding compensation announced by the cabinet last week. Members of Parliament whose constituencies are affected called for community input before endorsement of the funding. Mbire Member of Parliament Douglas Karoro said his constituency…

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PAP working to strengthen protection of rights of migrants

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is working on legislation to strengthen the protection of the rights of all migrants as an essential element that is at the heart of migration governance. Today, a report on the joint seminar between the Pan-African Parliament (APAP) and the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee (AU-LMAC) is being presented…

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State of the Global Climate Report: UN Secretary-General reveals gloomy picture

In his message for the launch of the World Meteorological Organization provisional State of the Global Climate Report 2022, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on 6 November said as COP27 gets underway, the planet is sending a distress signal. “The latest State of the Global Climate report is a chronicle of climate chaos. As the…

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COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh to Focus on Delivering on the Promises of Paris

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 6 November 2022 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 opened today with the key aim of ensuring full implementation of the Paris Agreement. Discussions at COP27 begin near the end of a year that has seen devastating floods and unprecedented heat waves, severe droughts and formidable storms, all unequivocal signs of the…

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